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According to the National Institute of Mental Health, up to 31% of teens in the US struggle with any type of anxiety disorder. Anxiety is a feeling of psychological and physical stress that can impact a teen’s academic performance, relationships, mental health, and physical health [1].
There are several kinds of anxiety disorders, each with their own subset of symptoms. For example, teens with generalized anxiety have persistent stress and worry about several different things in life without a direct cause. On the other hand, a teen with social anxiety disorder may only struggle with anxiety in group or social situations.
Read on to understand the different kinds of anxiety disorders in teens, how to recognize the warning signs, and common treatment approaches for teens with anxiety.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a natural response to stress or fear, and is not inherently negative. When someone feels anxious, their brain goes into high alert mode —increasing activity in the nervous system and stress hormones throughout the body. This is known as “fight or flight” and has become a protective mechanism for survival.
However, when anxiety becomes unmanageable, ongoing, or impacts other areas of a teens life, this could point to an anxiety disorder.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Teens
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is the most commonly diagnosed anxiety disorder and is characterized by persistent fear, worry, and tension. Teens who struggle with GAD are not simply feeling “stressed out.” The anxiety they have can be about anything and everything, lasting for weeks to months at a time and causing severe mental distress that interferes with other areas of their life.
The National Insitute of Mental Health reports around 8% of US teens are diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. GAD has no specific cause, but several factors can increase the risk of developing it, such as genetics, low self-esteem, experiencing physical or psychological trauma, high societal expectations, current events, and the increased use of social media [1].
Recognizing The Signs
According to the DSM-5, the criteria for generalized anxiety disorder include [2]:
- Teens must have excessive anxiety about several activities or events (e.g., school, social media, peers, relationships) occurring on most days for at least 6 months.
- Anxiety must cause significant distress or impair functioning and cannot be accounted for by medication, medical problems, or substance abuse.
- Anxiety must present with at least three of the following symptoms:
- Persistent restlessness or agitation
- Mental or physical fatigue
- Trouble focusing
- Irritability or aggression
- General tension
- Trouble falling asleep
Social Anxiety Disorder in Teens
Social anxiety disorder affects 1 out of 3 teens 13-18 years of age. It causes physical or emotional distress in social or group settings. Social anxiety can impact teens’ ability to socialize, communicate, and interact with loved ones, peers, and strangers [1].
Recognizing The Signs
According to the DSM-5, the criteria for social anxiety disorder include [3]:
- Fear of feeling judged, embarrassed, or humiliated
- Feelings of anxiety, specifically in social or group situations
- Anxiety impacts daily functioning
- Anxiety is not explained by medication, another medical condition, or substance abuse
Other warning signs that parents may identify include:
- Struggling to participate in school, sports, or extracurriculars
- Anxiety when in crowds, events, or group settings
- Avoiding daily interactions such as picking up the phone, going to the store, or ordering food
- Social isolation
- Avoiding eye contact
Phobia Disorders and Teens
Phobias can affect up to 20% of kids or teens at some point in their development. According to the DSM-5, the criteria for phobia disorders include [1]:
- Fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation
- Fear or anxiety is out of proportion
- The phobia is actively avoided
- It causes clinically significant distress or impairs daily functioning
- Phobia lasts for at least 6 months
- Anxiety is not better explained by symptoms of another mental health disorder, medical condition, or substance abuse
Types of Phobias
The most common phobia is “social phobia,” but this is usually referenced as social anxiety disorder. However, other common phobias include [4]:
- Specific phobia is of a certain object or situation where the teen feels intense fear and goes far enough to disrupt their daily routines by avoiding the phobia. (could include fear of germs or sickness, fear of closed spaces, or a specific animal such as spiders
- Agoraphobia is the fear of leaving one’s home, or being in open, public spaces. Teens may experience panic attacks when outside the home or somewhere they consider a “safe space.” Excessive isolation from agoraphobia can lead to severe isolation and symptoms of depression.
- Panic disorder can be considered a phobia because one fears future panic attacks and anticipates them with anxiety.
- Separation anxiety is common in younger children, although it can affect teens as well, and is the fear of being separated from a parent, caregiver, or loved one.
Understanding Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is characterized by frequent and chronic panic attacks. Around 1-3% of teens are diagnosed with panic disorder. Many teens who struggle with anxiety may not experience panic attacks. And some teens who experience panic attacks due to other anxiety disorders may not always have panic disorder.
Panic attacks are sudden waves of fear accompanied by intense physical symptoms such as dizziness, blurry vision, sweating and trembling. Teens may feel like they are having a heart attack, or unable to breathe[1].
The criteria for being diagnosed with panic disorder include [5]:
- Frequent, unexpected panic attacks
- At least one panic attack has been followed by a month or more of ongoing worry about having another panic attack
- Fear of another attack, losing control, going crazy, or having a heart attack or stroke
- Panic attacks aren’t caused by substance abuse, another mental health disorder, or a medical condition
Common Treatment Approaches to Anxiety
The treatment approaches to anxiety disorders usually involve a combination of therapies, medication, and support in the home. There are several evidence-based therapies available to help teens manage symptoms of anxiety and build positive coping skills to reduce stress. These include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most common therapeutic approaches to treating anxiety disorders. It encourages teens to challenge negative thought patterns that contribute to their anxiety and teaches them effective coping strategies to reduce feelings of stress.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a mindfulness-based approach that helps teens accept their anxious thoughts without judgement. It also teaches them to stay focused on the present and practice activities that keep them grounded.
- Exposure therapy is used most commonly with social anxiety or specific phobias. It gradually exposes teens to their fears in a safe and structured manner. Increased exposure will teach teens that no danger is actually present and increase their self-esteem.
- Medications such as SSRI antidepressants are often used in combination with therapy to manage symptoms of anxiety, such as problems with sleep or appetite. Some teens with panic disorder may be prescribed tranquilizers such as benzodiazepines to reduce panic attacks. However, this tends to be avoided in teens due to the risk of addiction.
Teen Anxiety Treatment Available in Texas
At Clearfork Academy, our team of licensed mental health professionals understands the complex nature of anxiety disorders in teens. We offer comprehensive treatments to help teens build coping skills that increase successful recovery outcomes.
Contact our admissions team today to see how we can support your teen.
Sources
[1] Any Anxiety Disorder. 2024. National Institute of Mental Health.
[2] DSM-5 Criteria: Generalized Anxiety Disorder. 2017. Mayo Clinic.
[3] DSM-5 Criteria: Social Anxiety Disorder. 2021. Mayo Clinic.
[4] Phobias in Children and Adolescents. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
[5] DSM-5 Criteria: Panic Disorder. 2018. Mayo Clinic.
Founder & CEO
Originally from the Saginaw, Eagle Mountain area, Austin Davis earned a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministry from Lee University in Cleveland, TN and a Master of Arts in Counseling from The Church of God Theological Seminary. He then went on to become a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in the State of Texas.
Austin’s professional history includes both local church ministry and clinical counseling. At a young age, he began serving youth at the local church in various capacities which led to clinical training and education. Austin gained a vast knowledge of mental health disorders while working in state and public mental health hospitals. This is where he was exposed to almost every type of diagnosis and carries this experience into the daily treatment.
Austin’s longtime passion is Clearfork Academy, a christ-centered residential facility focused on mental health and substance abuse. He finds joy and fulfillment working with “difficult” clients that challenge his heart and clinical skill set. It is his hope and desire that each resident that passes through Clearfork Academy will be one step closer to their created design.
Austin’s greatest pleasures in life are being a husband to his wife, and a father to his growing children. He serves at his local church by playing guitar, speaking and helping with tech arts. Austin also enjoys being physically active, reading, woodworking, and music.
